Club Preview: ’22s at Munciana

We continue our tour of the class of 2022 throughout the state of Indiana at clubs both large and small by covering Munciana, arguably the birthplace of volleyball in the Hoosier State. Thirty-four athletes over six different teams are looking for a place to play in the fall of ’22, with two others already committed as such. 18O Samurai The flagship program at Munciana has no shortage of talent. Setter Ella BosticEllaBostic6'0" | SCarmel | 2022StateIN (North Carolina) and outside hitter Eva HudsonEvaHudson6'1" | OHBishop Dwenger | 2022StateIN (Notre Dame) have already made their decisions, and when you see them play, you’ll know why. Two others on this roster are definitely capable of playing high level ball in ’22. Katie EgenolfKatieEgenolf6'1" | OHCenter Grove | 2022StateIN is a hammering outside hitter that jump touches over ten feet and has developed from a middle two years ago to a regular six-rotation outside. Lovie WallaceLovieWallace6'0" | MBHamilton Southeastern | 2022StateIN is a space-eating middle that defends as well as she terminates.  18O Quora Munciana’s 18-1A team has a ton of ’21s that have already committed to play at the next level, but two ’22s remain uncommitted. Defensive specialist Meghan Slaninka defends and receives serve well, and progressed nicely during the high school season this past fall. Erika Smith was forced to play middle for her high school team, but will be seen as a pin attacker for this club season. 18N Nighthawks This national-level roster has five that can, and should, play at the next level. Sophia Corey is a solid libero option who can set in a pinch if needed. Breanna Galloway can hit from either pin and play three rotations as a DS as well. Kia Knox-Dawkins is a strong outside hitter that hits a heavy ball. Izabela Price should bring some size to this roster in the middle. Madalynne Smith is a consistent six rotation outside hitting option that can hit any shot needed. 17O Pandas The 17-1 roster at Munciana is a full roster of available athletes. Need a setter? Lauren NixonLaurenNixon5'10" | OHMuncie Burris | 2021StateIN is your 5-1 option. How about a DS to feed her the ball? Emma McMahonEmmaMcMahon5'5" | DSBellmont | 2022StateIN and Taryn SalleeTarynSallee5'5" | DSYorktown | 2022StateIN can both wear the special jersey at the next level. Need some size? Kaitlyn JudgeKaitlynJudge6'0" | RSYorktown | 2022IN, Audrey SassAudreySass6'1" | MBLawrence North | 2022StateIN and Kimora WhetstoneKimoraWhetstone5'9" | MBLawrence North | 2022StateIN are all fully capable of being either M1 or M2 in college. Kaitlyn’s experience can also extend to the right side, as she played that position for defending state champ Yorktown this past fall. Caroline Yuska brings a six-foot frame as either a middle or a right side, depending on your needs. McCarty McQueen is an excellent six-rotation option on the outside, and is springy to boot. Finally, Avery RossAveryRoss5'9" | OHPendleton Heights | 2022StateIN is another primary passing option that gets UP. Should be a fun year for the Pandas. 17N Aztecs Another roster of nine athletes that can play at the next level. Setting this bunch looks to be Emi Robinson, who is fast enough to get to out-of-system balls and tall enough to get the tight passes. Her location is exceptional. On the pins are Taylor Stinefield and Taylor Buergelin. Miss Stinefield is a great six rotation option as well as a DS, while Miss Buergelin brings control and consistency to the position. Other DS options include Jada Berg, Riley Branch and Samantha PerdueSamanthaPerdueOHFishers | 2021StateIN. You could do a lot worse than these three. Emma Hiott, Abigail KeslerAbigailKesler5'11" | MBMuncie Burris | 2022StateIN and Paige PowersPaigePowers6'1" | MBAngola | 2022StateIN will see time in the middle, with Emma and Paige also capable of playing on the right. My favorite of this bunch is Miss Kesler, a solid M2 option that has all of the shots in the book. 17N Mustangs Rounding out our preview of Munciana is a national level team that will compete well against many bigger and "higher profile" programs around the state and the region. Olivia Wright looks to run a 5-1 with this squad. Multiple DS’s dot this roster, which include Tessa Phillips, Natalie Richards and Ashtyn Zickgraf. All are capable of being libero this spring, so we’ll wait for the MEPL to play out before we pass judgment. I’m a huge fan of McKinley Rose, who I got a chance to watch play at Grand Park last year. Addy Frye and Gabrielle Ennis are two other pin options for the Mustangs.